What is the Attraction To Alcohol>Alcoholism is a Widespread Problem>The Difference Between Alcohol Dependence And Alcohol Abuse>FAQ's About Alcoholism Pt 2 What Is Alcholism?
In order to be able to help yourself or to help the people you love who have fallen victim to the disease of alcoholism you must know what you are dealing with. Here we answer some of the frequently asked questions that many people want answers to in regards to alcoholism. How do the harmful effects of consuming alcohol affect the brain? The cognitive abilities of the brain are affected by alcohol consumption as is attention span, coordination and the ability to sleep properly. These are all acute effects of alcohol consumption. Alcohol also negatively impairs memory and concentration. On a long-term basis, brain cells die off as a result of heavy alcohol consumption as do the cells of the brain that provide the rest of the body with adequate nutrients and energy. Are there medications that are able to help in the treatment of alcoholism? Yes and no. Alcoholism is a disease that can be treated but no known cure is currently available. There are a variety of medications however that are often prescribed as part of the treatment plan geared towards alcoholics. Not all of the medications yield the same result. Some are geared at making it easier for a person to get used to being sober while others are geared towards easing the physical symptoms of stopping drinking. The number one desired effect for all of the medications is to make it as easy as possible for an individual to abstain from consuming alcohol all together. The most commonly prescribed drugs include Antabuse, Naltrexone, Acamprosate, and Sodium Oxybate. Did You Know
Is there a difference between social drinking and problem drinking? Yes there is. Social drinking is classified as being mild to moderate drinking (such as one to three drinks at a given time) which is done for the purpose of relaxing at home or out with friends. In the case of social drinking, the drinking is kept in check- there is no impaired judgement, no loss of control and no loss of any level of responsibility on the individual’s part. Problem drinking on the other hand is drinking that takes place on a continual basis despite the fact that a host of problems arises because of it. These problems could involve social problems, legal problems, physical problems or occupational related problems that are directly caused by drinking or else are made worst by consuming alcohol. An example of this might be a college student who goes on a drinking binge every second or third weekend and then misses a day or two of classes at the start of the school week in order to recuperate. This person shows no other noticeable symptoms that his drinking has developed into a problem. Interesting Facts
Are there any medical tests that can be done to help detect if a person’s body is being affected by too much alcohol consumption? Yes there is. There are a variety of diagnostic tests that are put to use in the medical community to test for how much alcohol an individual has consumed and how exactly the consumption of alcohol has affected the person’s bodily organs. Alcohol can have a harmful effect on many different organs of the body including the liver, the kidneys and the brain. Some of the most commonly done medical diagnostic tests are liver function tests, full blood count and blood alcohol content. Alcoholism in the News
09/05/2008
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